Fast-paced arguments and tenacious retorts on the hottest issues of the day - including cannabis and the attacks in Afghanistan - marked a spirited start to this year's ESB Leinster Schools debating competition. The first round heats are now under way in centres around the province.

Two Dublin schools had the honour of hosting the first debates in this series, with Sandford Park in Ranelagh welcoming teams from Dublin's southside, while St Declan's CBS Cabra played host to northside schools.

Clara Kubiak and Lauren O'Toole from the Holy Faith Convent in Clontarf were the winning team from the northside heat, proposing the motion, "That this house would legalise cannabis." Prizes for individual speakers went to David Hopkins from Castleknock Community College and Owen Maguire from St Declan's.

Taking Sandford Park by storm were the St Conleth's College team of Emily Ward and Frank Kennedy, who won opposing the motion, "That this house supports America's action on Afghanistan." Individual winners on the south side were Orla O'Malley from Mount Sackville, Chapelizod, and Avron Hyams from Sandford Park.

Debate organiser Eimear Cregg from the Literary and Historical Society in UCD attended the Sandford Park debate and was impressed by the quality of the teams.

"It was a very engaging debate with a good mix of ideas and humour in the right places and St Conleth's were really outstanding for a team competing in the first round."